Ships for Transporting Jews from Bulgaria Are Declared Unseaworthy by Red Cross

March 9, 1943

London (Mar. 8)

Competent quarters here today stated that they are unaware of the fact, reported by a Nazi news agency, that negotiations between the Bulgarian and British governments for the emigration of 4,000 Jewish children and 500 adults from Bulgaria to Palestine have broken down.

The same quarters, however, admitted that practical difficulties have arisen in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion because the vessels on which the Jews are to travel have allegedly been declared unseaworthy by the Red Cross, which is to assume responsibility for the transfer of the Jews.